My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake with

is

hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing

pulled some candles out of a box to the side.

be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said,

the ‘Happy Birthday’

must close her

Rachel must blow out

Julian that there was no

lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any of its

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

your heart and not out loud,

who wasn’t

wish. After that,

to say thank you!”

each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole scene was

smiled for the first time

back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now

it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was dull and

“Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm

and headed

inside her apartment and about to

was propped open by a large hand

at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the

on

the house and shut the door before surveying the

see you’ve been getting along fine

took two steps back.

stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto

unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful

her, forcing her back inch by

had no idea what she did

staggered after him and was dragged all